Dear readers, the good one of Stephen Worth, director of ASIFA-Hollywwod Archive Project Blog, has been awarded in the Annie Awards, the recognition from Hollywood to the industry of the animation.Steve receives one of the Juried Awards, the June Foray Award, by his significant contribution to the art and the industry of the animation.Stephen Worth has written commentaries in this “humble” blog...But through blog of ASIFA he gives to us to much historical and didacticmaterial for the people interested in the illustration and the world of the animation.CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVE FROM THE ASS OF THE WORLD!Now, do you wants to know what is ASIFA? … good, next the version in english of the article that I wrote for ASIFA. The version in spanish you can find it at the end of this post.I invite to them to read and to know the Animation Archives!

I believe it was not too long ago that I commented about one of my great discoveries on the net:ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive (A-HAA) from the United States, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving everything that has to do with the Art of Animation.

As they describe themselves, they are "embarked on an ambitious project to expand the offerings of the current Animation Center to include a virtual archive, museum, library and research facility for the benefit of the animation community and general public. The first step in achieving our goals involves the establishment of a computer system capable of documenting, cataloging, and retrieving images and sounds related to the art of animation."

Ever since I started this blog I have tried to regularly follow thearticles published by ASIFA Director Stephen Worth and I must say thatthe amount of information that the ASIFA team manages is astounding.

One of the big reasons that made me move to Santiago was precisely toprepare myself and learn about the art of animation due to a jobopportunity that came up when a production company in Chile's capitalcity decided to recruit cartoonists. Although my experience wassomehow fruitful and I met good friends, I didn't learn all that Iwould have wanted to nor did I spend enough time doing so. I wasalways left with the sensation that my preparation/education had beenincomplete to the point that I was somewhat disappointed.

I believe my lack of interest also increased given the scarcity ofreliable information available regarding the history of animation orthe works of the great masters, beyond the simple technique that wewere being prepared for. After all, the so-called animation "industry"in Chile has been formed thanks to the improvisation of its artists.

I have come to realize that generally speaking, what's known aboutanimationIS VERY LITTLE.Until thanks to a happy chance I found ASIFA's page…Besides the features bylined by its director Stephen Worth, we can also find signed by none other than John Kricfalusi (The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse, Ren & Stimpy, The Ripping Friends, etc) where he engages in severe but careful analyses of the great classics of animation.Master by master, frame by frame.

You can find veritable animated jewels from the Golden Age ofAnimation as well as unpublished material such as layouts,storyboards, backgrounds and even the musical scores of some excellentshort films!

It was only a while back that ASIFA likewise made available for allbloggers PRESTON BLAIR'S authentic animation course, monitored by JohnK… and at the distance just one click!

I believe that many of us who love classic cartoons have heard about Tex Avery, Chuck Jones or the great Bob Clampett , Friz Freleng, Ed Benedict, Hanna-Barbera productions, Walter Lantz or UPA, Terrytoons, Schlesinger, Warner, Disney, etc…

At the ASIFA blog I found detailed information of each and every one of these great milestones of classic animation along with biographies and interviews.

Whenever I read ASIFA's blog I think about how lucky are those whohave physical, tangible access to these archives.

This organization's headquarters are located in Burbank, Californiaand every now and then they organize interesting public exhibits oforiginal historic material.

Also lucky are those who can share the experiences of the legends ofanimation firsthand…

Lucky are those who can attend the numerous conferences sponsored byASIFA in the U.S.

Once in a while ASIFA also needs the help and time of its volunteers.They have computers to scan images and capture videos for theirdatabase.

Can you imagine what kind of images get to that database?

All types of originals, movies that need to be restored, illustrationsand cult comic books…

I have come to imagine how one of these weekends I'll win the Kino (Chilean lottery) big prize and my first destination will be the ASIFA headquarters. I would go there to do volunteering. Just to learn, watch and see.

Are there any organizations of institutions in Chile that might be interested in getting in touch with the people at ASIFA so that they can get us acquainted with the history of animation, an exhibit or a conference…?

Sometimes, dreaming costs you nothing…

In the meantime, don't let yourselves be defeated by the language barrier…

Some might say: "Oh, the page is all in English!"… but that is why there are free dictionaries and translators on the Web!

(you will at least be able to understand Tarzan-style English…)

I am sure that for those who are truly interested, the effort will be doubly compensated thanks to everything you will be able to learn.Without money and writing from the end of the world, it's all we can do…because… The world is wide and strange!... Isn't it true Chuck?